Huel Version 2.3

The Principal Changes

Huel was launched in June 2015, and there have been several changes to improve the formula since then. We continually innovate as science moves forward as well as from listening to Hueligans. Read about previous formula changes here.

The latest Huel formula is v2.3 and this has some great improvements, although the main ingredients remain unchanged – Huel is primarily oats, pea protein, flaxseed, brown rice protein, MCTs from coconut and sunflower oil powder.

Great new Vanilla Flavour

We’re excited to introduce Huel v2.3 with our new and improved Vanilla Flavour. It has been specially selected for its smooth and intense flavour, from natural sources and it’s our ultimate vanilla taste.

As many of you enjoy our previous Vanilla Flavour, we have renamed this ‘Original’ as our lighter, oaty vanilla taste. Huel Original, as well as ‘Unflavoured & Unsweetened’ and Gluten-Free versions, are all available with the new nutritional benefits described below.

Now includes plant-based vitamin D3

The benefits of a good vitamin D intake are well known and it’s generally accepted that, for optimal health, the UK and EU Nutrient Reference Value (NRV) for vitamin D of 5μg per day is too low. Indeed, SACN in 2016 advised a reference nutrient intake (RNI) of 10μg[1]. From the launch of Huel v1.0, we included 15μg of vitamin D per 2,000kcal, but we could only fortify Huel with vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol), as vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) was only available from animal sources. Vitamin D3 is the form of vitamin D that we synthesise from sunlight, and it also has higher bioavailability. When we launched Huel v2.2, we increased the amount of vitamin D2 to 20μg. For v2.3 we’ve sourced a plant-based form of vitamin D3. The D3 we’re using is derived from lichens and is certified vegan. We’ve added vitamin D3 at a level of 10μg per 2,000kcal, and we’ve also included 5μg (per 2,000kcal) of vitamin D2. In v2.3 Hueligans are ensured of a good intake of highly bioavailable vitamin D from sources that reflect a varied diet.

Increased folate content

The folate in Huel comes from the main ingredients as well as the added form of methylfolate calcium. The level of folate in previous Huel versions met the UK and EU NRV of 200μg per day – more than enough for good health. However, there is evidence that for optimal health an intake of 300μg per day in adult males and 400μg per in females of reproductive age may be beneficial[2].

Folate is involved in homocysteine metabolism, a high blood level of which is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD)[3, 4]. Studies have indicated that people with higher intakes of folate have reduced blood homocysteine levels[5]. It’s been policy for many years to recommend that women who are trying for a baby consume a folic acid supplement to reduce the risk of neural tube defects in their baby[6]. A dietary intake of 400μg of folate per day in women of reproductive age will ensure a sufficient intake to reduce the risk of neural tube defects*[7].

The folate level of Huel v2.3 is 400μg per 2,000kcal.

More potassium

We’ve increased the amount of potassium in Huel to 3,500mg per 2,000kcal. In Huel v2.2, the potassium content was 2,190mg, which more than met the UK and EU NRV of 2,000mg per day. Although the NRV easily and adequately meets potassium requirements for almost everyone, the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations suggests 3,500mg per day[2]. At this intake, potassium has been shown to have a beneficial effect on blood pressure with the associated CVD risk reduction[8].

Some of the potassium in Huel is naturally occurring from the main ingredients, and we add additional to meet the desired level. As Huel is about optimum health, there is now added potassium to meet 3,500mg per 2,000kcal of Huel, primarily in the form of potassium chloride.

Even greater amount of additional choline

Choline is a non-essential nutrient that can be synthesised in the body. Choline can be considered conditionally essential as amounts required for optimum health are at intakes higher than what can be efficiently synthesised within the body.

There is no NRV for choline in the UK and EU; however, many health references recommend a dietary intake of 200mg per day. Some of the choline in Huel is naturally occurring from the food ingredients (mainly the oats and flaxseed), and we’ve been adding additional choline in previous Huel versions to ensure that there’s 200mg per 2,000kcal of Huel as we recognise choline’s importance for complete nutrition. The US Daily Value (DV) is 550mg for male adults and there is evidence to indicate that this higher level may offer improved protection against disease[9, 10], so v2.3 contains additional choline to meet 550mg per 2,000kcal of Huel.

Having adequate choline reduces the need for dietary folate as both are involved in the metabolism of homocysteine, and a high serum homocysteine level is associated with an increased risk of CVD[3, 4, 10].

We've tweaked the main ingredients of Huel so as to give higher levels of omega-3s in v2.3. Omega-3s are essential for cardiovascular health and we've increased the amounts in Huel to 15.5g per 2,000kcal[11].

*NB: we recommend following official guidelines of consuming an additional 400μg folic acid supplement per day for women trying for a baby.

Institute of Medicine (US). Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes and its Panel on Folate, Other B Vitamins, and Choline. Washington (DC): National Academy Press; 1998.